Credit: The Associated Press

Thousands of anti-abortion protesters fill Dublin's major thoroughfare, as they march against Ireland's abortion bill Saturday, July 6, 2013. More than 35,000 activists marched to the parliament building to oppose Irish government plans to enact a bill legalizing terminations for women in life-threatening pregnancies.

DUBLIN — After decades of delay and months of argument, Ireland's lawmakers agonized Wednesday over government plans to pass an abortion bill for the first time in this predominantly Catholic country.

Prime Minister Enda Kenny acceded to lawmakers' demands for an extended round-the-clock debate of the bill, which would authorize abortions for medical emergencies.

His concession meant that the vote, long scheduled for Wednesday night, was pushed into the early hours of Thursday as lawmakers debated 165 potential amendments. The government rejected them all.